Father issues road death apology

Edward Stalker regularly raced stock cars

The father of a man killed in a crash has apologised to relatives of his son's best friend, who also died in the same car.

Edward Stalker, 23, and Derek Dawson, 24, both from near Cairnorrie, Methlick, died after the crash on the A947 south of Turriff on Friday.

George Stalker said he hoped his son's death would serve as a warning to other young drivers.

He urged parents to "nag" their children about road safety.

Edward Stalker, who had a passion for cars and raced stock cars at Crimond, was thought to have been driving his BMW 320i Coupe when it left the road and hit a tree while the pair had been on their way to meet friends.

I do hope this is a lesson to his friends and others out there reading this, as much as you may enjoy driving fast, there will always be a chance it will go tragically wrong George Stalker Edward Stalker's father

His father said Edward had been considered a "good, if not great, driver," by friends, but he warned that "even the best drivers in the world can make mistakes and go beyond their and their car's limits".

George Stalker said: "I'm not pre-empting the outcome of the current ongoing police investigation into this tragic accident, but in my opinion speed and current weather conditions played their part.

"Nor am I going to get into a discussion on this particular road, on its safety issue, as I feel that all roads are safe if driven safely. Of course there can always be improvements to make roads safer."

'Sadly missed'

He added: "Edward had many friends who also shared his same passion for cars, but I do hope this is a lesson to his friends and others out there reading this, as much as you may enjoy driving fast, there will always be a chance it will go tragically wrong as it did for Edward, and he took his best friend Derek with him.

"I will take this opportunity to say on behalf of my son Edward a sincere sorry to Derek Dawson's family as he was their only son and a provider to their household. He will also be sadly missed by all who knew him."

Derek Dawson was also killed in the Friday night smash

He said: "Edward had known Derek, most of his life, from primary school at Cairnorrie and at Ellon Academy. They were like all kids at early age, one minute best friends, the next fighting, but always made up.

"The consequences of this accident are that I have one less son, no one can describe to you what it is like to lose one of your children, until it happens to you - the loss, the grief that you feel. I have lost other family members in the past, but this is by far the worst.

"I say to all parents - keep on nagging your children, giving them the benefit of your experience - if it helps to keep them safe. I never want you to experience what our families are going through at present."

Mr Stalker added: "Thank you to all who attended the accident, I realise it was grim task to emergency services and to other drivers who stopped to help."